With school starting up, now is a great time for making a new bag. My latest creation was designed with that in mind: the Plenty of Pockets Duffel Bag. A fun and practical bag that is amazing for organizing on the go!
Two tall rows of pockets on the outside, a drawstring closure and adjustable straps make this bag versatile for all occasions and great for carrying everything.
The roomy interior has another full row of pockets on the inside for even more organizing:
I used fabric from the adorable Woodland Picnic collection by Timeless Treasures to make it. I'm a hedgehog fanatic (which explains the name of my Etsy shop, The Green Hedgehog), so I was wild about these prints as soon as I saw them. These are perfect prints for fall, but the bright colors work well for the rest of the year too. I designed the bag to have a layered look so all the prints could get equal attention - there was no way I could choose just one as the main feature!
The handy size makes it great for the beach, traveling, sleep overs, or as a backpack for school. Keep small stuff in the lower pockets, tall things in the higher ones and big stuff inside - all nice and neat. The entire bag and its straps are padded for added support and comfort too.
Want to make one of your own?
Plenty of Pockets Duffel Bag!
Sharing this with my FAVE LINK PARTIES too-
Click HERE to check them out!
Thanks for the free pattern. This pocket bag is both practical and super-cute. The hedgehog fabric is adorable!
ReplyDeleteThis would be great for the don't need a diaper bag/still need a diaper bag phase I'm in! Thanks for the pattern!
ReplyDeleteRachel @onceuponasewingmachine.com
That's the exact phase I'm in Rachel - may have to steal it from the kids for that!
DeleteSo cute! I can see so many uses for a bag like this. TFS (Vising via Home Decor and Organizing linky)
ReplyDeleteThat's the idea - just make it once and then use it every way you want:)
DeletePockets, pockets, pockets... you can't have too many, and you've covered that perfectly!!! The tall outside pockets are a fabulous idea! Looks great, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam! Enough for whatever you need to carry & you're right about never having too many.
DeleteThis is so cute & looks so functional! Thanks so much for the free pattern! You're awesome!
ReplyDeleteAw thanks Lucy! All these sweet comments make in feel great to share it:)
DeleteJust when I told myself, I didn't need to start anymore projects, I see this one. Ok, no more after this:)
ReplyDeleteOh my!! I love it!! I can feel a trip to the fabric store coming, I have to try this one!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Following you from I Heart Crafty Things Blog Hop
ReplyDeleteit's wonderful. You can never have enough pockets to tote things around. How wonderful your tutorial is featured. I will hop over. Thank you for sharing at the hop xo
ReplyDeleteI've linked up to your party..I'm also a new follower and will be trying your pocket duffle today!
ReplyDeleteThat's all fantastic to hear Michelle. Please send a pic of your bag when you have it made - I'd love to see it!
DeleteHi Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cute pattern.
Debi @ Adorned From Above
OMG! Adorable! Love the pattern and the fabric you chose! Thanks for sharing at the Pomp Party! Pinning!
ReplyDeleteThis is SUPER! I think I'm going to have to feature this.... ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteI really like this a lot. Thank you so much for sharing with Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party last week. This weeks Link Party is opened at
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/09/reeses-smore-brownies-and-wednesdays.html
from Wednesday until Sunday.
Hope to see you there.
Debi Bolocofsky
Adorned From Above
www.adornedfromabove.com
I love it! The more pockets the better. :)
ReplyDeleteFeaturing you today! :) Thanks for sharing at {wow me} wednesday.
ReplyDeleteGinger @ GingerSnapCrafts.com
http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/09/take-look-at-you-my-favorites_13.html
Love this pattern! Thank you! Love your blog!
ReplyDeletehttp://LoveItSewMuch.blogspot.com
That's so cute! It makes me want to get organized :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful bag! I've been wanting to do something similar. I may just use your pattern. Thanks for providing it for free!
ReplyDeleteThey'd make a perfect bag for the kids who are just so keen on going to school on their first day and parents just want to pack them things they need for the short adventure. There's just a lot to this bag than meets the eye. Rather than underestimating its space, it can contain and organize things into a more neatly arranged bag.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute Duffle! Love the fabric you've chosen!
ReplyDeleteCheryl, thanks for sharing this design. I made one for my daughter as a christmas gift. Even with all my novice mistakes it turned out fantastic. Much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteMike
I am unable to download the pattern. Your help would be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Click on the word HERE above to go to my download link (or use this https://www.wuala.com/cerise422/Tutorial/) and from my free patterns click Plenty of Pockets Duffel Bag Pattern and then click on the download button. I just tested it and it works fine.
DeleteHi! I love the pattern, and your bag looks great! I'm making one now as a gift, and I have a quick question for you—I notice that the circle of fabric is supposed to be 10.5 inches in diameter, and the circle of fleece is supposed to be 10 inches in diameter, with a .5 inch clearance on all sides. The only trouble is, with a 10.5-inch diameter, you only get 0.25 inches of clearance on all sides of the 10-inch fleece. Is the ultimate diameter 10 inches, or a little smaller? I'm wondering if I should be using an 11-inch diameter fabric circle to have enough clearance for a full 10 inches on all sides. Thanks again, looking forward to putting it all together!
ReplyDeleteHi Chelsea - the fusible fleece is intentional smaller to make less of a thick seam allowance (easier for trimming). It's fine if there's just .25 inch clearance. You could trim the fleece circle down slightly smaller than 10 inches if desired, but I would not recommend increasing the fabric sizing at all or the pieces will not fit together. Would love to see your bag when it's done!
DeleteWhat a lovely bag! I made it for my 17m old daughter and it suits her very well. I would love to show you mine!
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic to hear Anouk! Yes, please email me a pic at info@sewcando.com - I'd love to see it:)
DeleteWhat is the finished height of this awesome looking bag?
ReplyDeleteHi. I’m stuck at the picture on step 4. Where the red fabric is. Can someone help me.
ReplyDeleteI can’t figure out the lining thanks
Ok that photo is still part of Step 3 (each step has the step directions above the photo). For that image the text on the bottom of the page before it reads "Repeat this step with remaining small pocket piece and lining fabric rectangle. Stitch pocket seams." Basically, you're stitching the inner bag's pocket front to the lining there. Hope this helps.
DeleteHi no love the pattern, I have a question what width should be used for the bias tape?
ReplyDeleteIt should say I love the pattern, darn autocorrect
DeleteNo worries - standard 1/2inch wide double fold bias tape:)
DeleteThis looked awesome when it was done . Wish I could add a photo. Made a knitting bag for my daughters friend and now makimg my niece a backpack for school. I will make the two back straps thicker and longer which is my only suggestion . Thanks for the pattern
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome. I'd love if you emailed it to me at cheryl@sewcando.com. Then I can give it a shout out at next week's Craftastic Link Party!
DeleteI will do Thanks
Delete